Table Of ContentAn Encyclopaedia of Occultism
A Compendium of Information on
THE OCCULT SCIENCES, OCCULT PERSONALITIES, PSYCHIC
SCIENCE, MAGIC, DEMONOLOGY, SPIRITISM AND MYSTICISM
BY
LEWIS SPENCE
Author of Tie Myths of Mexico and Peru, A Dictionary of Medieval Romance, The Myths of Ancient Egypt.
Legends of Brittany, etc. etc.
LONDON :
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LTD.,
BROADWAY HOUSE, 68-74, CARTER LANE, E.C.
1920
TO MY WIFE,
WHO BELIEVES IN ME RATHER THAN IN MY BELIEFS.
PREFACE
In attempting to compile a volume which might serve as a handbook or work of reference
to the several occult sciences, I have not lost sight of the extensive character of the subject,
which, now that I have completed my task, is more than ever painfully perceptible. Excur
sions into the hterature of the occult, of a somewhat extensive kind, led me to the belief
that popular misconceptions concerning its several branches were many and varied. Regard
ing definitions there did not appear to be any substantial agreement, and application to
encyclopaedias and ordinary works of reference generally resulted in disappointment. That
a department of human thought so pregnant with interest and so abounding in vitality should
not hitherto have been reduced to presentation in reference form struck me as singular ;
and I resolved to do what I could to supply what seemed to me a very real literary and scientific
necessity. That I have been entirely successful is too much to hope. But I have made a
beginning, and this volume may inspire a more worthy hand to the compilation of a more
perfect handbook of the subject.
The science of Anthropology has of late years done much to elucidate questions relating
to the origins of magic, and in writing this volume I have freely applied its principles. I have
not, however, permitted scientific considerations to blind me to the marvellous and romantic
character of the material in which I have laboured. Indeed, I am convinced that had I in any
way attempted to subvert this innate quality of the occult to purely scientific considera
tions—however worthy of statement—the romance inherent in it would, by reason of its very
native force have defeated such an intention, and, even if arrayfcd in the poorest of verbiage,
would still retain its marvellous powers of attraction, no estimate of which can be too high.
I have relegated the subject of methods and theories to the introduction. It remains
to thank the many kind friends who have assisted me actively and by advice in the compilation
of this volume. My assistants, Miss Mavie Jack and Miss K. Nixey, have placed me under a
deep debt of obligation by their careful collection, arrangement and independent work upon
the extensive literature relative to psychic science. To Mr. David MacRitchie, F.S.A. (Scot.),
F.R.A.I., late President of the Gypsy Lore Society, I owe thanks for the article “ Gypsies.”
The late Lieut. -William Begg collected much Theosophical matter ; and Mr. W. G. Blaikie
Murdoch has rendered me the greatest assistance with difficult biographical material. My
lamented friend, the late Mr. A. J. B. Graham, greatly smoothed my path by throwing light
on legal questions.
I have not burdened the articles with references, but have supplied a bibliographical
appendix.
L.S.
66, Arden Street,
EDINBURGH.
(ix)
INTRODUCTION
The sciences known as “ occult ” may with every reason be regarded as the culture-grounds
of the science of to-day. As everyone knows, alchemy was the forerunner of chemistry,
astrology the direct ancestor of astronomy, and magnetism of hypnotism. But these sub
jects and their kindred arts have another claim upon our attention and interest, for in their
evolution we can trace many of the beginnings of philosophic and ethical processes, the
recovery of which renders their examination and study as important to the whole under
standing of the history of man as that of theology or the new mythology.
A generation ago it was the fashion to sneer at the occult sciences. But to-day, men
of science in the foremost files of thought have placed them on the dissecting slab as fit subjects
for careful examination. The result of their analysis during the past twenty years, if it
has not permitted us to pierce the veil which divides man and the “ supernatural,” has, at
all events, served to purge our sight sufficiently to enable us to see things on this side of
it with a clearer vision, and to regard such researches with a more tolerant eye than hitherto.
For example the fact of ghostly appearances is proven, whatever may be their nature, hallu
cinatory or otherwise, gold has been manufactured, if in small quantities, the theory of thought
transference is justified, and hypnotism is utilised in ordinary medical practice.
It is perhaps necessary that in introducing such a' work as this, the author should express
his own beliefs regarding the subject. Concerning psychical science I firmly believe that
there are “ more things in heaven and earth ” than our philosophy dreams of, but the vast
mass of evidential matter I have perused leads me to the conclusion that as yet we have
merely touched the fringes of the extra-terrestrial, and that we must rely upon psychology
ratherythan so-called material proof to bring us further enlightenment.
As regards magic, it will be seen that I have paid considerable attention to the scientific
or anthropological theories concerning it. - But let not the lover of that wondrous mani
festation of the human imagination dread that he has been robbed of the mystery which
clings to it as darkness cleaves to night. I have amply provided for him in a hundred places,
and if I have attempted to summarise current scientific hypotheses concerning magic, I have
done so principally for the sake of completeness.
I may perhaps be pardoned if at this juncture I touch briefly upon a suspicion which
I have refrained from including in the article on Magic, for the reason that it has not as yet
(xi)
xii INTRODUCTION
blossomed into a theory. I have for some time been of the opinion that what is known as
“ sympathetic ” and “ mimetic ” magic is not of the magical species—that in short it does not
partake of the nature of magic at all. When the savage performs an act of sympathetic
“ magic,” “ rain-making ” for instance, he does not regard it as magical—that is, it does not
contain any element of wonder to his way of thinking. He regards it as a cause which is certain
to bring about an effect. Now the true magic of wonder argues from effect to cause, so it
would appear as if sympathetic magic were merely a species of proto-science, due to mental
processes entirely similar to those by which scientific laws are produced, and scientific acts
are performed—that there is an odour of certainty about it which is not found, for example,
in the magic of evocation.
Although in every way in sympathy with the spirit of the esoteric societies, I have ven
tured to express my disbelief in the occult knowledge of the generality of their members.
I am afraid, too, that I fail to grasp the arguments advanced by students of the secret tradition
which plead for a belief in the “church existing before the foundations of the world,” and the
“ inner sanctuaries ” of Christianity. I fancy most readers will agree with me that it would be
extremely difficult to raise anything like a respectable membership for such an institution,
and as for its prehistoric existence, that is obviously a matter for the student of mythology.
That both are the product of mystical foppery and vanity is only too painfully apparent.
A church which is alien to the bulk of humanity can possess little of the true spirit of Christi
anity. But I must not be conceived as deriding genuine mysticism and in this connection I
would advise all interested in the Grand Quest, advanced as well as neophyte, to peruse a
recent admirable article by Mr. A. E. Waite, which appeared in “ The Occult Review” for
September, 1919, which seems to me to define the aims of the mystic once and for all.
In closing my task I feel deeplyíjmpressed by the vastness of the themes which I have
so unworthily and inadequately handled during the compilation of this volume. My attempt
has been to present to the generaKreader a conspectus of the Occult Sciences as a whole ;
and if experts in any one of those sciences observe any inaccuracy which calls for correction,
I will be deeply obliged to them if they will bring it to my notice.
L.S.
66, Arden Street,
EDINBURGH.
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
The works comprised in the following Bibliography have been selected on account of their suitability to supply the
reader with a general view of the several branches of occult science. Modern works in English have, for the most part,
been preferred to ancient or to foreign authorities, in an endeavour to render the list of service to those approaching
the subject for the first time. In many cases Bibliographies have already been appended to the more exhaustive articles,
and where this has been done, reference has been made to the article in question.
ALCHEMY, See article “ Alchemy."
ASTROLOGY. W. Lilly [1602-81], Introduction to Astrology, edited by ‘ Zadkiel ’ (Lt. R. J. Morrison]. Bohn’s Library,
1852 ; new edition, 1893. 3'
Alan Leo, Practical Astrology. New edition. Wooderson, 1911.
H. T. Waite, Compendium of Natal Astrology and Universal Ephemeris. Kegan Paul, 1917. (See also article “ Astro
logy-")
DEMONOLOGY, A. E. Waite, Devil Worship in France. Kegan Paul, 1896.
Sir Walter Scott, Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft [1830]. Routledge, n. d.
J. Beaumont, Treatise on Spirits, Apparitions, and Witchcraft, 1705.
A. Calmet, The Phantom World [1751], translated with notes by H. Christmas, 2 vols., Bentley, 1850.
Becker, Le Monde Enchanté.
MAGIC. ‘ Eliphas Levi ' [L. A. Constant], History of Magic [i860], translated by A. E. Waite. Rider, 1913,
• Eliphas Levi ' The Mysteries of Magic [1861], translated by A. E. Waite. Kegan Paul, 1886.
,, ,, Transcendental Magic, translated by A. E. Waite.
A. E. Waite, Book of Black Magic and of Pacts. Kegan Paul, 1898.
W. H. Davenport Adams, Witch, Warlock, and Magician ; historical sketches. Chatto, 1889.
W. Godwin, Lives of the Necromancers (1834]. New edition. Chatto, 1876.
E. Salverte, The Philosophy of Magic, Prodigies, and Apparent Miracles, [translation of his Des Sciences Occultes]
2 vols. Bentley, 1846.
F. Hartmann, Magic, Black and White [Madras, n. d.] New edition. Kegan Paul, 1893.
Francis Barrett, The Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer [i8m], New edition. Theosophical Pub. Soc., 1896.
F. Lenormant, Chaldean Magic; translated [by W. R. Cooper]. Bagster, n. d. [1877].-
Lewis Spence, Myths of Ancient Egypt. Harrap, 1915.
,, „ Myths of Babylonia and Assyria. Harrap, 1916.
(Both the above include chapters on Magic.)
D. L. Macgregor Mathers, The Key of Solomon the King (Clavicula Solomonis) [1888]. New edition Kegan Paul 1909
J. A. S. Collin de PlancYj Dictionnaire Infernel. 6th edition. Paris, 1863. ’ ° ’
J. P. Migne [ed.], Dictionnaire des Sciences Occultes, forming vols. xlviii-ix. of the First Series of the Encyclopédie
Théologique.
MYSTICISM ; MYSTERIES. A. E. Waite, New Light of Mysteries : Azoth, or the Star in the East. Theosophical Pub
Soc., 1893. r
A. E. Waite, The Hidden Church of the Holy Grail, its Legends and Symbolism. Rebman 1909
„ „ Studies in Mysticism and Certain Aspects of the Secret Tradition. Hodder, 1’906.
,, ,, The Real History of the Rosicrucians. Kegan Paul, 1887.
,, ,, The Doctrine and Literature of the Kabalah. 1902.
F. Cumont, The Mysteries of Mithra ; translated by T. J. McCormack. Open Court Pub. Co. Chicago 1903
G. R. S. Mead, Fragments of a Faith Forgotten [Gnosticism], Theosophical Pub. Soc., 1900.' 6 ’ ’ 3
,, „ Thrice-Greatest Hermes: Studies in Hellenistic Theosophy and Gnosis. 3’vols. ’ igo6
„ „ Introduction to Plotinus. Theosophical Pub. Soc., i8gg. ’ ’
,, ,, Echoes from the Gnosis.
Evelyn Underhill [Mrs. Stuart-Moore], Mysticism : a study in the nature and development of man's spiritual con-
sciousness. Methuen, n. d. [igii], r
Evelyn Underhill, The Mystic Way: a psychological study in Christian Origins Dent 1013
Iamblichus (4th cent., A.D.], Theurgia, or the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians ; translated by
T. Taylor. 2nd edition. Dobell, 1895.
Hargrave Jennings, The Rosicrucians, their Rites and Mysteries [1870]. 4th edition. Routledge 1907
Jacob Boehme [1575-1624], Works ; translated. Glasgow, 1886. ’ 6 ’ ’ ''
I. de Steiger, On a Gold Basis : a Treatise on Mysticism. Wellby, 1907.
Carl Du Prel, The Philosophy of Mysticism ; translated by C. C. Massey, 2 vols. Kegan Paul 1889
Em. Swedenborg, Treatise concerning Heaven and Hell (De Coelo et de Inferno]; translated by J. W. Hancock.
Swedenborg Society, 1850.
SPIRITUALISM. E. Gurnay, F. W. H. Myers, and F. Podmore, Phantasms of the Living [1886]. Edited and abridged
by Mrs. Henry Sidgwick. Kegan Paul (Dutton, New York), igi8.
F. Podmore, Modern Spiritualism : a history and a criticism, 2 vols. Methuen, igo2.
,, ,, The Newer Spiritualism. Unwin, igio.
Allan Kardec, The Book of Spirits. Kegan Paul, I8g8.
J. Arthur Hill, New Evidences in Psychical Research. Rider, ign.
„ ,, Spiritualism : its History, Phenomena, and Doctrine. Cassell, igi8.
„ „ Man is a Spirit: a collection of spontaneous cases of dream, vision, and ecstasy. Cassell, igi8.
Sir W. Barrett, The Threshold of the Unseen [igi7]. Kegan Paul, igig
F. Myers, Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death, 2 vols., Longman, igo3> Abridged by L. H. Myers
[his son], igo7-
Sir O. Lodge, Raymond, or Life and Death. Methuen, igi6.
J. W. Frings, Life Everlasting and Psychic Evolution.
J. H. Hyslop, Life after Death. Dutton, New York (Kegan Paul), igig.
Society of Psychical Research. Proceedings ; and, Journal. 1882 sqq.
THEOSOPHY. Lilian Edge, Elements of Theosophy. Theosophical. Pub. Soc. 1903.
Annie Besant, Popular Lectures on Theosophy. Theosophical Pub. Soc., igio.
,, ,, Evolution of Life and Form. Theosophical Pub. Soc.
Ethel Mallet, First Steps in Theosophy. Lotus Journal Office, igos.
H. P. Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled : the Master Key to Ancient and Modern Mysteries, 2 vols. [1877]. New York, i8gi.
,, ,, The Key to Theosophy [i88g]. 3rd edition. Theosophical Pub. Soc., i8g3-
A. P. Sinnett, The Occult World [1881]. 4th edition. Theosophical Pub. Soc., 1885.
,, „ Expanded Theosophical Knowledge. Theosophical Book Shop. igi8.
WITCHCRAFT. Thos. Wright, Narratives of Sorcery and Magic. 2 vols. Bentley, 1851.
C. G. Leland, Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches of Italy. Scribner, New York, i8gg.
„ ,, Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune-Telling. Unwin, i8gi.
F. T. Elworthy, The Evil Eye. Murray, i8g5-
R. C. Thompson, Semitic Magic, its Origins and Development. Luzac, igo8.
J. Glanvil, Saducismus Triumphatus : Evidences concerning Witches, Apparitions, and Witchcraft [1681], 4th edition,
1726.
C. Kirkpatrick Sharpe, Historical Account of Belief in Witchcraft in Scotland [i8ig] Morison, Glasgow, 1884.
W. G. Soldan, Geschichte der Hexenprocesse [1843], herausgegeben von H. Heppe. 2 vols. Cotta, Stuttgart, 1880.
